“Tara Tulip” Photograph © CatsHope™
Tara Amara Diane Tulip Cougar Griffin
Tara — Sergeant Tara
Formal Name: Tara Amara Diane Tulip Cougar Griffin
Affectionate Name: Tara; The Other Boss
Family Lineage: House of Griffin
Mythic Lineage: Baihu — The Celestial White Tiger
Rescued: 30 March 2018, at approximately 7–10 weeks old.
Birthday: Estimated January–February 2018; exact date unknown.
Horoscope: Aquarius (based on her estimated birth period).
Character: Once the fiercely dedicated sergeant who patrolled the entire sanctuary perimeter, Tara has since retired from active patrol duty. These days, she prefers cuddling close to Angel Mum, quietly supervising her every move while maintaining a watchful eye over the household. However, retirement has done nothing to diminish her authority. At mealtimes, Sergeant Tara may suddenly lunge forward, sending unsuspecting cats scattering in alarm. When Her Sergeantship is particularly hungry, a respectful distance is strongly advised.
Quirks: Tara insists upon her daily ritual of one-to-one eye contact and personal spoon-feeding by Angel Mum. She is perfectly capable of eating independently, but considers this unnecessary when her preferred attendant is available. She also speaks Russian—or at least one very important word: “Nyet!” It means no, and when Tara says it, negotiations are officially closed.
Favourite Games: Parkour across walls, cupboards and anything else that offers a suitable launching platform; chasing balls; playful jostling; and occasionally terrorising unsuspecting members of the furmily at mealtimes.
Special Charm: Tara has an endearing habit of curling her little front paws around your fingers and holding on, as though she never intends to let go. When cradled in your arms or settled on your lap, she looks remarkably like a human toddler. Beneath the commanding exterior of Sergeant Tara lives an affectionate little baby in a cat suit.
Favourite Pastimes: Cuddling close to Angel Mum, supervising household activities, keeping a watchful eye over her beloved furmily and enjoying the comforting rituals of daily life.
Duty at CatsHope™: The Other Boss; retired Chief of Perimeter Patrol; Fierce Protector of the Furmily; and current Supervisor of Angel Mum.
CELESTIAL CAT-DRAGON IDENTITY
In the Celestial Cat-Dragons of CatsHope™, Tara takes the form of a Baihu of the House of Griffin. Her celestial identity reflects the vigilance, fierce loyalty and protective affection we have come to know.
Tara’s imagined guardian form honours a hungry, abandoned kitten who found a family and grew into a companion who watches over those she loves.
Tara, Tara,
Fierce Protector
Tara, Tara, Fierce Protector,
Deeply loyal, brave companion—
a love most precious.
Tara and Her Celestial Baihu
Illustration © CatsHope™
About Tara
The Fierce Protector
Arrival
Tara arrived in desperation on 30 March 2018. She was about seven to ten weeks old. She had been abandoned in the foyer of a building.
Hungry and unsettled, she did not stay back. She moved toward people, reaching, catching at ankles, asking for food in the only way she could.
She did not wait to be noticed.
Seeing how young she was, and that she was ridden with parasites, she was brought in.
Early Days
From the time Tara arrived, she was attentive and involved. She watched the rhythms of the space — how Mimi was treated, what was allowed, what was given — and learned quickly where she stood and what to expect.
She was not immediately accepted. It took time. There were tensions, distance, moments of resistance. But Tara did not withdraw. She stayed, observed, and adjusted without losing her place.
In time, the bond with Mimi formed — not easily, but solidly.
Life in Motion
There were periods of energy — bursts of movement shared with Mimi and Angel. They ran, climbed, and crossed spaces together, using furniture, walls, and whatever was available to move through the home.
But Tara was never careless in it. Even in motion, she remained aware — always reading the space around her.
Personality
Tara is a protector.
She does not react for attention. She responds when it matters.
On one visit to the vet, after a morning where she and Mimi had been at odds, Mimi became fearful at the vet’s — trembling, unsure. Tara did not hold the earlier tension. She moved beside her, placed a protective paw over her, and stayed. Not briefly. Not by accident. She positioned herself between Mimi and what was coming.
That is who she is.
Catitude
Tara is highly communicative, with a small, raspy voice that carries affection, commentary and insistence. She converses in her own way, and her “Nyet!” leaves little doubt when she means no.
She watches closely, learns routines and uses posture, movement and eye contact to make her wishes known. She seeks closeness, but she also has firm expectations about her space and her meals.
Wet food is a ritual: one-to-one eye contact and spoon-feeding from Angel Mum. When Angel Mum is away, Tara will eat independently. At mealtimes she may also lunge out and startle the other cats; Sergeant Tara appreciates a little space when she is very hungry.
Appearance
Tara is primarily white-bodied, with blue eyes, large ears and a fine, angular face. Her selective striping is most distinctive in the splashes across her forehead, the sergeant-like bands on her forelegs and her ringed tail. Her markings are lighter and less extensive than a fully patterned lynx-point coat.
Even in stillness, she appears alert — composed, precise, and ready.
Role in CatsHope™
Tara represents protection through presence.
Known as Sergeant Tara and the Other Boss, she once patrolled the sanctuary perimeter. Her protective nature also appears in her relationships: stepping close to Mimi when she was frightened, and keeping company with younger members of the furmily.
Current Life
Tara now prefers cuddling nearby, where she can keep watch over Angel Mum. She enjoys close company and the familiar routines of home. Her nightly perimeter patrol has given way to supervising from a comfortable place, although her mealtime assertiveness remains.
🐾🐾 Fierce when needed. Gentle when it matters.
“Siblings By Circumstance” Photograph © CatsHope™
Siblings By Circumstance
She walks the night—
quiet, watchful, unseen.
Not always a friend,
not always in agreement.
But when it mattered,
she stood close—
a fierce protector
of those beside her,
and the space she calls her own.
Article by Tiffany Argent, CatsHope™ Ambassador
Stories and Pictures © CatsHope™
Tara’s Story Archive
A shared story about Mimi and Tara, describing how two unrelated rescued kittens became siblings through companionship and shared experiences.
What It Means to Love and Be Loved
Tara’s personal story, presented in two parts:
- Part I — Tara’s Story: The human perspective.
- Part II — I Watch. I Choose.: Tara’s own perspective.